My question is somewhat complicated. I truly hope you can help. My husband and I have been married for almost one year. I am 31 and my husband is 34. We were married in a private ceremony in a cabin. There was the preacher, him, and myself, along with an employee of the cabin to take pictures.

My husband grew up Catholic and attended Catholic school though he hasn't practiced his faith much as an adult, until now. I was previously married nine years ago and have two children from that marriage. My first husband was:

unfaithful to me numerous times

never asked for forgiveness

nor did he attend counseling.

Subsequently, I divorced him. I was raised mainly attending a Baptist church in my neighborhood.
I was never baptized, though I wished I had been.

My question is:

What do we have to do individually [and/or] together, to become Catholic, including our children?

I have a lot of faith and trust in the Lord that this is what I should be doing, and I will use all the patience that is necessary.

Can you please help?

Thank you very much for your time,

(Paul and) Christy Smith

{
Based on our backgrounds, what do we have to do for our family to become Catholic? }

Mary Ann replied:

(Paul and) Christy —

We don't give people canonical advice about marriage. These questions may be brought to any Catholic pastor, or you can call the Tribunal office of your diocese to see where to start, given the fact that he has no parish. There are many relevant and interesting factors in your case, such that it should be not too difficult to resolve.

As for starting the process to become Catholic, you may begin that process in a parish of your choice in their RCIA program (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) and be working on the marital issues at the same time.

God bless!

I know God is working in your lives.

Mary Ann

(Paul and) Christy replied:

Mary Ann,

Thank you very much for all of your information. It truly does answer my question.

I appreciate your quick response. My husband and I are blessed to know we can begin this process.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,

(Paul and) Christy Smith

Please
report any and all typos or grammatical errors.
Suggestions for this web page and the web site can be sent to Mike Humphrey